The Prescription Charges Coalition of 30 charities and organisations has launched the Prescription Charges and Employment report, following a survey of over 5,000 people.

The findings show that nearly 4 in 10 respondents reported that the cost of medication is prohibiting them from taking their medication as prescribed. Of these, three quarters reported that this has impacted on their ability to work in some way.

The Prescription Charges Coalition’s new report reveals that of those reporting that the cost of prescriptions was a barrier to them taking their medicine as prescribed:Almost three quarters said they had to take time off work as a result. For more than half of these, this was six days or more. Over half reported that their performance at work had suffered as a result. Other impacts included difficulty seeking work, travelling to work and motivating themselves to work, as a result of not taking their medication. Prescription charges are detrimental to the working lives of people with long-term conditions at all income levels and of all ages. While those on the lowest incomes are most affected, the survey shows that there is also an impact for those on higher household incomes. Younger people are also more likely not to take their medication due to the cost. .You can read and download the report below